June 2018 Newsletter

Codes save lives and reduce recovery times

On April 30th The International Code Council reported that “for 2018, scientists predict that we will see more natural disasters occurring in areas that previously thought they were immune. These predictions call for proper planning to help prevent loss of life, property damage and unnecessary post-disaster expenses. Regularly updated building codes are essential to helping our communities prepare for the disasters that are inevitably coming and rebound faster following an event…Despite their importance to our health, welfare and safety, the building codes that protect us are often viewed with indifference when they’re thought of at all. In light of recent disasters and those that are predicted, we cannot afford to downgrade, repeal or walk back our codes. Building codes save lives.”.

Yarmus Engineering, P.C. makes it a priority to remain aware and knowledgeable of ongoing building code updates and changes so that we can incorporate same into our designs and inform our clientele of such new regulations which might affect their properties. Firm President, Andrew R. Yarmus, P.E., maintains his certification as a NYS Code Enforcement Official to ensure same.  Please contact our office if we can be of assistance to you or your clients regarding such matters.

Highlighting the power of safe choices

On May 7th The International Code Council reported that “code professionals take great pride in the role they play shaping the communities in which we live, work and play. The choices we make — big or small — can have a huge impact on our safety and the safety of those around us. This is especially true in the construction industry, where thousands of men and women rely on each other every day to stay safe.

• Nearly 6.5 million people work at approximately 252,000 construction sites across the nation on any given day. The fatal injury rate for the construction industry is higher than the national average in this category for all industries.
• According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one out of five private industry fatalities occur in construction, and the health and productivity of more than seven million U.S. construction workers are impacted by non-fatal injuries on the jobsite.
• According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, construction workers falling from various places on construction sites comprise the majority of construction fatalities at nearly 39 percent; nearly 10 percent of deaths occur from falling objects hit employees; over 8 percent occur when an employee is electrocuted; and more than 7 percent are due to a worker being caught in or compressed by objects or equipment.
• The 2017 Travelers Risk Index reports that nearly half of the construction firms surveyed said employee safety is a top worry, and their concern about employee safety is among the highest of all 12 industries polled.

As safety remains a top industry priority, construction organizations and industry stakeholders are increasingly turning to situation awareness, improved practices and emerging technologies to help address this concern”.

Andrew R. Yarmus, P.E., as Chair of the National Society of Professional Engineers PE’s in Construction Interest Group, is helping to facilitate discussions between Professional Engineers across the country on important matters such as safety in the construction industry. Yarmus Engineering, P.C. is available to consult with property managers, real estate developers, builders, attorneys, contractors, insurance professionals, adjusters, and other related parties regarding construction site safety issues. Please contact our office if we can be of assistance to you or your clients regarding such matters.